Some 2,000 people gathered in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Avenue on Tuesday in protest of the amendment to the Defamation Law, which passed its first Knesset reading
on Monday.

The protest, which was organized by Peace Now,
came on the heels of an initiative
proposed by right-wing Knesset members, which aims to increase the maximum compensation paid for libel violations to NIS 300,000 (roughly $80,500) – six times what it is today – regardless of proof of damage.

Protesters held torches and red flags and shouted: "Bibi, Bibi, you've gone too far – Israel is not Iran"
and "The Right is running wild."

'Israel is not Iran.' Protest in Tel Aviv (Photo: Moti Kimhi)

Meanwhile, some 100 right wing activists gathered opposite from the protesters, and called out: "Obedience now" and "one country, one people, one leader."

"Today's protest is for those who believe in democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of press, equality and the rule of law," one of the demonstration organizers asserted.

Protesters clash with police forces (Photo: Ben Kelmer)

"The cowards in the Knesset turned the court, the media and the human rights organizations into their own punching bag. We are raising our heads today and saying that there is a sane majority in Israel and we will prevail," the organizer stated.